Islam Cheat Sheet by ella_elf25

Kalam
 His first contri­bution was to Islamic Theology - Kalam.
 It was falling under the influence of Greek Philos­ophy, tarnishing the reputation and generating negative attitudes towards it.
 Al- Ghazali openly criticized philos­ophers such as Aristotle in his book "the incohe­rence of the philos­oph­ers­".
 Example Aristotle said that resurr­ection was a myth, but Ghazali said because Allah is all-po­werful, Allah created life and can also re-create it.
 Ghazali’s critique was so successful that Greek philosophy never influenced Kalam again.

Sufism
 Ghazali became fascinated with Sufism. Sufism focuses on direct personal experi­ences with Allah as ways of becoming a more dedicated adherent.
 A strong connection to the Sufi idea that knowledge could be gained through mystical discip­lines, that would bring him closer to Allah.
 He then wrote his most famous text 'the revival of religious sciences' which refined and reshaped lots of Islamic teachings.

Education
 He used his influence to change people's opinions on education. 'Revival of Religious Experi­ences', Al-Ghazali emphasizes that education shouldn't be limited, but should be inclusive of all aspects of life.
 He also explained the purpose of education and gaining knowledge is to assist man in achieving full happiness by achieving the closest possible relati­onship with Allah.

Impact
 By contri­buting to Sufi teachings and creating the idea that mysticism should be combined with Sharia law. Widely acknow­ledged.
 Ghazali was able to follow Shari’a and mysticism, to co-exist in Islam. He earned one of the greatest recogn­itions, as one of renewal of Islam.
 Education, Al-Ghazali wrote the text ‘The REVIVAL OF THE RELIGIOUS SCIENCES’ emphasis on holistic education. Outlining - why and how
 A wider discourse in education, his impact is reaching.
 Still has an impact today because of his forwar­d-t­hinking nature and his work.

Sexual Ethics
 the sexual ethical teachings are a guide, so they don't do things that are morally wrong and disple­asing too God.
 Male and female complement each other: “they are your garments and you are their garments” (Qur’an 2:187). Pre-ma­rital sex is considered wrong "­Har­am"
 Reinforce the idea that sex is to be enjoyed within a marriage that has been sanctioned by Allah.

Contra­ception
 Islam is strongly pro-family and see children as a gift from God.
 Muslims forbid sex outside of marriage, so contra­ception should be used within marriage with both consent of husband and wife.
 Al-Ghazali argued that while abortion and infant­icide were crimes against a living being, contra­ception was different.
 Al-Ghazali rejected some reasons for contra­cep­tives as object­ionable (Makruh).
 Al-Ghazali supported the use of contra­cep­tives for protecting the dangers of childb­irth, preserve beauty, economic reasons (manag­eable size), and the well being of the children.
 All forms of reversible contra­ception are permis­sible if consen­sual.

 Is the last pillar of Islam which is fundam­ental and required in order to live out the Islamic beliefs.
 Every Muslim must perform the Hajj at least once in their life unless they are physically unable to.
 Muslims believe that the rites of the Hajj were designed by Allah to develop God-co­nsc­iou­sness and a sense of spiritual rebirth.
Muslims come together as one.
 A spiritual, physical, and mental, Islamic adherent's ultimate goal is to purify the soul.
 Spiritual rebirth allows adherents to live a more centered and observant life focused on consol­idating their relati­onship with Allah.
 Hajj allows Islamic adherents to pivot their lives away from modern distra­ctions and reorient their focus to Allah and living a life where Islamic beliefs guide all actions and behaviors.
 Al-Ghazali has also partic­ipated in the Hajj along with many other signif­icant people in the Islamic culture.